A modified petal and stamen dimorphism interact to enhance pollen placement by a buzz-pollinated flower.

Background: Floral adaptations supposedly favour pollen grains to cross the numerous barriers faced during their journey to stigmas. Stamen dimorphism and specialized petals, like the cucculus in the Cassieae tribe (Fabaceae), are commonly observed in flowers that offer only pollen as a resource for bee pollinators. Here, we experimentally investigated whether the stamen dimorphism and cucculus enhance pollen placement on the bee's body.

Cesarean scar dehiscence in early puerperium and influence of barbed suture: tridimensional ultrasound evaluation in a randomized clinical study.

Purpose: This study investigated the hypothesis of early dehiscence of hysterorrhaphy as the initial stage of post-cesarean uterine scar defects, examining the possible influence of barbed suture in this process.

Methods: This longitudinal, prospective, double-blind study included 54 pregnant women with no history of cesarean section, randomized into two suture groups: #0 polyglactin or #1 barbed PDS threads. Sutures were continuous, unlocked, involved the entire myometrium in a single layer, and included the endometrium.

Pollen Wars: Explosive Pollination Removes Pollen Deposited from Previously Visited Flowers.

AbstractPollen grains from different plants potentially compete for ovule access because flowers produce many more pollen grains than ovules. Pollen competition could occur on pollinators, where there is finite space for pollen placement. Here, we explore the explosive pollen deposition in (Lamiaceae, a perennial flowering plant native to South America that is frequently visited by hummingbirds) and determine whether it can improve male performance by reducing pollen loads deposited by previously visited flowers.